Most Alaska Superdelegates Silent on Strongest GOP Opponent

Most of the Alaska delegates free to support whomever they want as the Democrats’ nominee for president aren’t saying who they think would be the strongest Republican candidate.

Only one of the state’s four superdelegates, Ian Olson, offered a name when asked which Republican would be the strongest opponent in the general election – Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Two of the superdelegates deemed the GOP field weak or unimpressive; another said she hoped Republicans would base their decision on who they think would be a good leader.

Nationally, The Associated Press contacted all 712 superdelegates to the Democratic National Convention next summer, and asked them which Republican they thought would be their party’s strongest opponent in the general election. Superdelegates can support the candidate of their choice regardless of what happens in their states’ primaries or caucuses. Superdelegates are members of Congress and other elected officials, party leaders and members of the Democratic National Committee.

Of the 176 superdelegates who answered the question, 65 said Marco Rubio, a first-term U.S. senator from Florida, would be the Democrats’ strongest opponent; 45 said Kasich and 36 said former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Businessman Donald Trump was mentioned by 16 Democratic superdelegates as the candidate who would be the strongest opponent, with retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, cited by four each.